# NTSB FTW85LA103: Cessna 172B, N7718X, Coushatta, LA, January 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1985, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Coushatta, LA
- Coordinates: 32.01984, -93.339576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0198&lon=-93.3396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21662/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA103

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON ITS 1ST FLT FOLLOWING MAINTENANCE FOR A PREVIOUS NOSE GEAR SHIMMY PROBLEM. WHEN THE STUDENT MADE HIS 1ST ATTEMPT TO LAND, HE NOTICED THAT THE NOSE GEAR SEEMED TO BE COCKED, SO HE ABORTED THE LANDING. ON THE 2ND ATTEMPT, THE ACFT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE NOSE GEAR TOUCHED DOWN, THEN GROUND LOOPED INTO A DITCH & CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE NOSE GEAR CLAMP BOLTS WAS MISSING & A 2ND BOLT WAS LOOSE. THIS ALLOWED THE NOSE GEAR STRUT TO PIVOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7718X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7718X-2021-03-06), registration cancelled 2021-03-06, S/N 17248218 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248218
- Airframe hours: 2730
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sammie J. Stanaland Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1984
- Departed: F33, SHREVEPORT, LA
- Airport: OR7, The Red River, runway 18, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 64 total, 30 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHV, 40 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850125001719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850125001719A), Jan 25, 1985: Cessna 172B, Coushatta, LA, Substantial damage. Nose gear cocked for landing. Ground looped, flipped over. Nose gear strut improperly reinstalled after maintenance

## Other investigations on N7718X (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA68D0545](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0545), May 15, 1968: Cessna 172 (N7718X), Naples, FL, destroyed

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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